Today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) issued the following statement on President Obama’s State of the Union address:
“I agree that what is at stake today is not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values and the future of the middle class. But just as one speech isn’t going to restore opportunity for the middle class, we certainly cannot change things if we do not work together. We need both parties, both chambers, and the White House to start working for the middle class and for good jobs – not bailouts for Wall Street and trade deals that lead to more outsourcing and undermine the middle class yet again. Like the American people, I want to see hard work and playing by the rules rewarded, and everyone held responsible for their actions. Having voted against the Wall Street bailout all three times, I believe ‘no bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts’ should be a principle, and not just a slogan.
“We can start to do right by the middle class by passing the overdue transportation reauthorization bill to invest in critical infrastructure projects that will create jobs and reduce congestion, as my colleague from across the aisle Rep. Randy Hultgren and I both said today. With unemployment still far too high, it is absurd that Washington has failed to do this in the two-plus years since the last bill expired, and it is a shame the President did not seize the chance tonight to push for passage of a robust, multi-year reauthorization to fix our roads, bridges, mass transit, and rail system. We can also pass legislation to combat unfair trade by China, get serious about bringing back American manufacturing, and make sure everyone learns the skills they need to compete in the economy of today and tomorrow. All of those things are part of the five-point Jobs Plan I released last year. The message that we need to act to preserve the American dream is one I welcome. Now Washington needs to finally start acting for – not just talking about – the middle class.”